BY: JASLEEN KAMBO
On June 12th of every year, World Day Against Child Labour is observed to raise awareness about child labour and promote action to end it. This year's theme is "Act Now: End Child Labour," highlighting the urgent need to address child labour and protect the rights of children around the world.
On June 12th, World Day Against Child Labour is observed annually to raise awareness about child labour and promote action to end it. This year's theme is "Act Now: End Child Labour," highlighting the urgent need to address child labour and protect the rights of children around the world.
Child labour is a global issue that affects millions of children globally. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 152 million children are engaged in child labour, with 73 million in hazardous work. ILO defines child labour as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential… and is injurious to physical and mental development.” Child labour has serious consequences on children's health, education, and growth, and gravely violates their basic human rights. In its most extreme cases, it separates children from their families at very young ages (sometimes leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities), enslaves them, and exposes them to severe risks and illnesses.
On World Day Against Child Labour, we can all take action to end child labour and protect children's rights. By first educating ourselves and others about the issue of child labour and the importance of protecting children's rights, we can then make greater strides. Raising awareness, advocating for policies and laws that protect children's safety, and supporting organizations that work to end child labour, such as the ILO, UNICEF, and Save the Children are all important measures to abolish child labour.
The urgent need to abolish child labour and defend the rights of all children is officially observed on June 12th, however, light should not only be shone on issues like these for just a day. We should consistently bring awareness regarding such issues, advocating for the laws and policies for children’s safety, and supporting organizations that work to end child labour, so we can continue to make significant differences and create better futures for all children even faster!